Man rents ambulance to pass Covid checkpoint

Vo Manh Cuong, 35, was fined for numerous violations, including not having a driving license and driving under the influence, police of the Central Highlands province stated Friday.

Cuong is also being investigated for using signal lights for priority vehicles. The ambulance he rented has also been seized.

On the night of July 26, Cuong drove an ambulance carrying two people along National Highway 25. While there were no patients requiring urgent medical assistance inside the ambulance at the time, Cuong still used the signal lights and sirens designated for priority vehicles.

When he reached Ayun Pa Town, he was stopped at a Covid-19 checkpoint near To Na Pass. He was unable to show his driver's license, documents to prove he tested negative for the coronavirus or a license allowing the use of priority signal lights.

A quick test revealed Cuong and another person in the ambulance had been on drugs.

Cuong later confessed he rented the ambulance for VND2 million from a company that provides transportation services for hospital patients.